Patriotic movies have been an integral part of cinema since time immemorial. Our oldest memory is that of Richard Attenborough’s iconic film on the Father of the Nation, Gandhi made in 1982. Since then filmmakers have experimented with the patriotic theme in several movies such as Swades, Chak De! India, Border and Lagaan among others.

As India completes 66 years of independence, we present you actors who portrayed freedom fighters on the silver screen.

Ajay Devgn as Bhagat Singh: No other freedom fighter has got as much adulation on the big screen as Bhagat Singh. Interestingly, around seven films have been made on the life and times of this revolutionary from Punjab. But, our favourite is Ajay Devgan who played the young leader in The Legend of Bhagat Singh.

Deepika Padukone as Kalpana Datta: Deepika Padukone was seen in the role of Kalpana Dutta, who was part of the armed resistance movement led by Surya Sen in 1931. The actress shed her glamorous image to portray the revolutionary in simple cotton saris and minimal make up.

Kunal Kapoor as Ashfaqullah Khan: Ashfaqullah Khan played by Kunal Kapoor in the film Rang De Basanti was a revolutionary from Uttar Pradesh. He is best remembered for the Kakori train robbery of 1925. Khan along with his team of men looted a train consisting of government treasury with the purpose of purchasing arms.

Aamir Khan as Mangal Pandey: Aamir Khan is particularly known for films that highlight serious issues facing the country. Aamir played Mangal Pandey, an Indian soldier who rebelled against the British in the Revolt of 1857 or the Sepoy Mutiny.

Abhishek Bachchan as Surya Sen: Ashutosh Gowariker’s film Khelen Hum Jeen Jaanse on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930 saw Abhishek Bachchan in the role of Surya Sen. For the uninitiated, Sen was a village school teacher in Chittagong (now Bangladesh) who was an activist of Indian freedom. Masterda, as he was popularly known, trained a group of young men and women in martial arts, shooting and bomb-making.

Sharman Joshi as Shivaram Rajguru: Rajguru is remembered for taking part in the murder of a British police officer J .P. Saunders in 1928. He along with Sukhdev and Bhagat Singh were convicted and hanged in 1931. Sharman Joshi who played Rajguru in the film, Rang De Basanti left a lasting impression in our minds.

Vishakha Singh as Pritilata Waddedar: Pritilata Waddedar was a revolutionary from Bengal who led a 15-men team in 1932 to attack a European club in Chittagong. She later consumed cyanide and died to avoid being caught by the police. Fukrey actress Vishakha Singh played the freedom fighter in Ashutosh Gowariker’s film Khelen Hum Jeen Jaanse.

Paresh Rawal as Sardar: The biopic on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel saw the seasoned actor Paresh Rawal as the protagonist. Sardar chronicles the several events that led to India’s independence such as the Satyagraha campaign and the Quit India movement.

Sachin Khedekar as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: Directed by Shyam Benegal, Bose: The Forgotten Hero narrates the story of the renowned freedom fighter who later formed the Indian National Army (INA). Popular actor Sachin Khedekar stood out with his brilliant performance as the iconic revolutionary.

Soha Ali Khan as Durga Vohra: Soha Ali Khan may have played an ordinary girl in Rang De Basanti, but we also remember her role of Durga Vohra that she played in a film within the film. The freedom fighter supposedly accompanied Bhagat Singh on a train journey in which he made his escape. Durga Vohra was also arrested for attempting to kill Lord Hailey.

Patriotic movies have been an integral part of cinema since time immemorial. Our oldest memory is that of Richard Attenborough’s iconic film on the Father of the Nation, Gandhi made in 1982. Since then filmmakers have experimented with the patriotic theme in several movies such as Swades, Chak De! India, Border and Lagaan among others.

As India completes 66 years of independence, we present you actors who portrayed freedom fighters on the silver screen.